Population 40,070 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Rio Arriba County
Household size in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.72 | 2.71 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.84 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.13 | 2.71 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.80 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Rio Arriba County average 2.80 people, a bit above the national 2.65, so families with children are somewhat more common here. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.72, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the southeast and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.9 | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.3 | 38.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.5 | 39.3 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.9 | 40.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.0 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Rio Arriba County is 42.9 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 37.9, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.0% | 14.2% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.5% | 14.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 15.8% | 13.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 17.0% | 14.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.0 pts | +0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in Rio Arriba County (17.0%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Rio Arriba County has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five New Mexico counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Rio Arriba County
Renters in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.2% | 30.4% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.0% | 31.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 23.1% | 32.3% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 20.0% | 30.0% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | −0.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Rio Arriba County is largely a place of homeowners: only 20.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 65.8% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the northwest; owners are most common in the center.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.6% | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.4% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 34.9% | 15.2% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.9% | 11.9% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Rio Arriba County: 19.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 1.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1981 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1982 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1985 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +6 |
Homes in Rio Arriba County are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1984, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1979 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $600 | $777 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $651 | $866 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $685 | $943 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $770 | $1,188 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$170 | +$411 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Rio Arriba County costs $770 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $170 a month since 2006–10, up 28%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 22.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the north; the highest are in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Rio Arriba County
Bachelor's degrees in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.6% | 25.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 25.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.7% | 26.7% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.9% | 30.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +5.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Rio Arriba County: 18.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the north.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 78.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.3% | 83.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.4% | 85.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.0% | 87.5% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.3 pts | +5.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Rio Arriba County have finished high school as nationally: 88.0%, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.3 points, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Rio Arriba County
| Period | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 7.3% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 9.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.5% | 6.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.2% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.2 pts | −1.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Rio Arriba County runs below the national rate: 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 6.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Rio Arriba County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Arriba County | 2.80 | 42.9 | 17.0% | 20.0% | 19.9% | 1984 | $770 | 18.9% | 88.0% | 4.2% |
| Dallam County | 2.94 | 31.2 | 15.8% | 36.0% | 19.1% | 1977 | $1,101 | 12.6% | 80.6% | 3.1% |
| Sherman County | 2.66 | 41.0 | 7.5% | 23.7% | 25.8% | 1966 | $750 | 30.4% | 76.8% | 2.0% |
| Hansford County | 2.80 | 34.9 | 5.7% | 18.8% | 19.5% | 1970 | $928 | 35.4% | 77.7% | 7.1% |
| Ochiltree County | 2.73 | 35.0 | 20.4% | 27.3% | 18.3% | 1976 | $1,042 | 18.2% | 77.6% | 0.3% |
| Lipscomb County | 2.81 | 35.2 | 14.5% | 17.6% | 26.2% | 1972 | $840 | 21.9% | 83.5% | 6.3% |
| Ellis County | 2.44 | 44.4 | 7.3% | 17.9% | 30.1% | 1969 | $771 | 20.7% | 90.9% | 5.3% |
| Major County | 2.37 | 42.3 | 6.6% | 17.5% | 13.5% | 1976 | $772 | 19.9% | 90.4% | 2.8% |
| Garfield County | 2.57 | 38.2 | 11.5% | 34.0% | 13.4% | 1968 | $1,026 | 23.3% | 88.1% | 4.8% |
| Clark County | 2.81 | 39.2 | 13.5% | 42.2% | 8.7% | 1996 | $1,830 | 27.4% | 86.3% | 7.6% |
| Noble County | 2.61 | 43.2 | 7.4% | 22.3% | 18.8% | 1973 | $826 | 18.6% | 89.7% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Burnet County, TX · Washington County, MS · Campbell County, TN · Calloway County, KY · Callaway County, MO · Caldwell County, TX · Calaveras County, CA · Cabo Rojo Municipio, PR · Butler County, MO · Washington Parish, LA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Rio Arriba County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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